When you think of Trivium’s Ascendancy, you think blistering riffs, punishing drums, and Matt Heafy’s fiery delivery. But buried in the chaos is a surprising influence: Muse. Yep, that’s right. Matthew Bellamy and co. left their mark on one of metal’s most iconic albums, and Heafy recently spilled the details in a chat with Metal Hammer.
Celebrating Ascendancy’s 20th anniversary this year, Heafy took a nostalgic deep dive into the album’s creation. “Recording the album? It was easy, it was effortless,” he said, reflecting on the band’s early hunger and meticulous preparation. But it was when he broke down the album’s closer, Declaration, that he dropped the Muse bombshell.
“This song is nuts,” Heafy admitted. “You can hear a second of the Muse Absolution influence in the middle.” That little nod to Bellamy’s soaring theatrics mingles with Emperor-style black metal vibes, giving Declaration its unique character.
But Muse’s influence wasn’t just sonic—it also fed into the track’s deeper meaning. Heafy explained that Declaration is a rallying cry for compassion and unity. “It’s showing the champion of all walks of life that I’ve always been,” he said. “How could you not want your friends or other people to just be able to enjoy life?”
In true Trivium fashion, it’s not all peace and love. Heafy calls it a “very violent, angry call for being a champion of all who deserve it.” Equal parts fury and humanity, Declaration ties together the album’s themes with a surprising dose of empathy.
For fans of Ascendancy, this behind-the-scenes insight adds another layer to an already legendary record. It’s a reminder that metal can draw from unexpected places, blending aggression with artistry to create something truly enduring.
In the meantime, Trivium are gearing up to hit the road. They’ll kick off a UK tour with Bullet For My Valentine this month before heading to North America later this spring. It’s shaping up to be a victory lap for both bands, as BFMV’s Matt Tuck put it, celebrating legacies that have defined a generation of heavy music. While no Australian dates have yet been announced we will keep you posted if they are.
Whether it’s Muse’s grandeur or Trivium’s relentless drive, Ascendancy still stands tall as a genre-defining masterpiece, two decades later. And Declaration? Consider it proof that even in the heaviest corners of metal, influence knows no boundaries.
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